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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

NASA Kennedy Space Center photo release

On August 3, 2010, tribute wall art representing the nearly 30-year space shuttle program was hung in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Photo credit: Dimitri Gerondidakis

Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102)

This tribute features Columbia, the "first of the fleet," rising above Earth at the dawn of the space shuttle program.

Columbia's accomplishments include the launch and deployment of NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory on STS-93, the first shuttle landing at White Sands Space Harbor in New Mexico on STS-3, the first deployment of commercial satellites and the first four-member crew during STS-5, the first Spacelab mission and first six-member crew on STS-9, the first female commander, Eileen Collins, on STS-93, as well as several laboratory missions with international partners.

Crew-designed patches for each of Columbia's missions lead from Earth toward a remembrance of the STS-107 crew, who was lost during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo

Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099)

This orbiter tribute of space shuttle Challenger, or OV-099, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center.

Challenger's accomplishments include the first night launch and first African-American in space, Guion Bluford, on STS-8, the first in-flight capture, repair and redeployment of an orbiting satellite during STS-41C, the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, on STS-7, and the first American woman to walk in space, Kathryn Sullivan, during STS-41G.

Challenger is credited with blazing a trail for NASA's other orbiters with the first night landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California on STS-8 and the first landing at Kennedy on STS-41B.

The spacewalker in the tribute represents Challenger's role in the first spacewalk during STS-6 and the first untethered spacewalk on STS-41B.

Crew-designed patches for each of Challenger's missions lead from Earth toward a remembrance of the STS-51L crew, who was lost 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Lynda Brammer

Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103)

This orbiter tribute of space shuttle Discovery, or OV-103, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center.

Discovery's accomplishments include the first female shuttle pilot, Eileen Collins, on STS-63, John Glenn's legendary return to space on STS-95, and the celebration of the 100th shuttle mission with STS-92. In addition, Discovery supported a number of Department of Defense programs, satellite deploy and repair missions and 13 International Space Station construction and operation flights.

The tribute features Discovery demonstrating the rendezvous pitch maneuver on approach to the International Space Station during STS-114.

Having accumulated the most space shuttle flights, Discovery's 39 mission patches are shown circling the spacecraft.

The background image was taken from the Hubble Space Telescope, which launched aboard Discovery on STS-31 and serviced by Discovery on STS-82 and STS-103.

The American Flag and Bald Eagle represent Discovery's two Return-to-Flight missions -- STS-26 and STS-114 -- and symbolize Discovery's role in returning American astronauts to space.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo

Space Shuttle Atlantis (OV-104)

This orbiter tribute of space shuttle Atlantis, or OV-104, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center.

In the lower-left corner, it features Atlantis soaring above Earth and threaded through the design are the mission patches for each of Atlantis' flights.

Atlantis' accomplishments include seven missions to the Russian space station Mir and several assembly, construction and resupply missions to the International Space Station. Atlantis also flew the last Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission on STS-125.

In the tribute, the planet Venus represents the Magellan probe being deployed during STS-30, and Jupiter represents the Galileo probe being deployed during STS-34.

The inset photos illustrate various aspects of shuttle processing as well as significant achievements, such as the glass cockpit and the first shuttle docking with Mir during STS-71.

The inset photo in the upper-left corner shows a rainbow over Atlantis on Launch Pad 39A and shuttle Endeavour on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy. Endeavour was the assigned vehicle had Atlantis' STS-125 mission needed rescue, and this was the last time both launch pads were occupied at the same time.

The stars in the background represent the many people who have worked with Atlantis and their contributions to the vehicle's success.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo

Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105)

This orbiter tribute of space shuttle Endeavour, or OV-105, hangs in Firing Room 4 of the Launch Control Center.

It features Endeavour soaring into orbit above the sailing vessel HMS Endeavour for which it was named.

The Cupola, delivered to the International Space Station by Endeavour on STS-130, frames various images that represent the processing and execution of the Space Shuttle Program. Clockwise from top, are the first-ever use of a drag chute during the STS-49 landing, rollout to a launch pad, a ferry flight return to Kennedy, rolling into an orbiter processing facility, docking to the International Space Station, and lifting operations before being mated to an external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in the Vehicle Assembly Building.

The background image was captured by the Hubble Space Telescope and signifies the first shuttle servicing mission, which was performed by Endeavour's STS-61 crew.

Crew-designed patches from Endeavour's maiden voyage through its final mission are shown ascending toward the stars.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo

Fezman92

What about the possibility of STS-135? Aren't they going to use Atlantis for that?

Robert Pearlman

If Atlantis flies its "second last" mission (as now expected), then one assumes they will replace its current display with one updated to include the STS-135 emblem.

As this photo with launch director Mike Leinbach shows, the orbiter on the Atlantis display (as with the others) is a separate piece, and therefore, if necessary, could be moved to make room for another crew's insignia to be added to the background.

Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

OV-105

I have to say I like the OV-104 Atlantis one the best. The other four don't show as much of the orbiters' history as 104's.

Tom

Those are really great!

Apollo-Soyuz

Spaceflight's September 2010 issue has an article on these murals. The KSC launch teams themselves, not outside artists, fashioned the collage from objects and images highlighting significant milestones for each orbiter.

I think NASA or somebody should reproduce these. I know I would buy a set.

Jay Chladek

These would make a great set of posters. Nice to see the launch teams have just as much passion for these great machines as many of us who watch them fly. Words can't always convey the feelings the shuttles give to us. So art helps to express those feelings.

Apollo Redux

Those are impressive collages. They did a terrific job.

Thanks for the links.

ejectr

Those are awesome! Really unique.

RPF09

They are nice - but I do wish they had an Enterprise one as well. It seems to be overlooked far too often.

garymilgrom

I vote for a set of posters too. Come on NASA!

BMckay

Suggestion if you like them. Download the image, head over to your favorite online or brick and morter photo shop, get them made up to a 16x20 print. They look great that way.

NASA doesn't need to make them into posters when we can do it on our own.

I like them because I can give NASA credit and use those images in my Powerpoint presentation when I break down the shuttle era. They will look awesome up on a big screen.

Tykeanaut

I wonder if the five 3D tribute displays of the space shuttle will be reproduced on a smaller scale for purchase? They would make another nice memento of the programme.

Editor's note: Threads merged.

Robert Pearlman

NASA has provided the high resolution files for the artwork (click on each above) so that the public can print their own. According to the public affairs office at Kennedy Space Center, posters nor lithographs are planned.

Speaking of digital files, the online Atlantis tribute artwork has been updated. The original (which is still displayed above) had as its primary image of Atlantis a photo of Discovery that had been altered to represent OV-104. The new art, below, uses an authentic photo of Atlantis.

Graphic design credit: NASA/Amy Lombardo

thump

Lithos of each of these have now been released...

Fezman92

When will the updated Atlantis one with 135 be released?

thump

I picked-up a set from NASA HQ in DC, and it does have the 135 mission included with Atlantis.

RocketmanRob

Another option is to have them printed by your local photo print retailer. I just received 16x20 prints of each of these from Adorama.com and they look really nice. Agree that an Enterprise version of this would have been a great addition. Perhaps that's a project for a creative minded cS'er!